ILOILO City – This city is turning Chinese New Year 2026 into a major cultural and tourism showcase, rolling out a weeklong “Harmony in Radiance” celebration that underscores the city’s deep-rooted Chinese-Filipino heritage and its growing reputation as a multicultural hub.
Spearheaded by the Iloilo City Government in partnership with the Iloilo Festivals Foundation Inc. and various Chinese-Filipino organizations and schools, the celebration is positioned not only as a festive observance of the Lunar New Year but also as a reaffirmation of Iloilo’s long-standing ties with the Chinese community — one of the city’s oldest cultural pillars that has significantly shaped local trade, education, and civic life.
Organizers emphasized that the 2026 edition builds on the steady growth of past festivities, which have drawn thousands through dragon and lion dances, cultural performances, and grand parades across major venues in the city.
“This year’s celebration embraces the theme ‘Harmony in Radiance’, reflecting the values that unite cultures, generations, and communities in Iloilo — a city shaped by diversity, tradition, trade, and shared aspirations,” organizers said.
The festivities began yesterday, February 15, with an 8 a.m. Chinese New Year Mass at Santa Maria Parish.
A formal launching follows on Feb. 16 at 3 p.m. at the Activity Center of SM City Iloilo, marking the start of public activities.
Cultural showcases led by schools form a key part of the program. Sun Yat Sen High School will stage a mall show on Feb. 17 at Robinsons Place Jaro, while Huasiong College of Iloilo will hold its mall performance on Feb. 21 at SM City Iloilo.
Another Sun Yat Sen High School mall show is scheduled on Feb. 22 at SM City Iloilo.
The centerpiece of the celebration is set on Feb. 20 with the Chinese New Year Grand Parade at 4 p.m., starting from Iznart Street (YMCA) and culminating at the Iloilo Freedom Grandstand.
A Grand Cultural Show will follow at 6 p.m. at the same venue.
The celebration wraps up with a closing ceremony on Feb. 21 at 5 p.m. at Festive Walk Mall Iloilo.
Organizers said the weeklong activities aim to promote cultural understanding, boost tourism, and strengthen community solidarity, reinforcing Iloilo City’s identity as a place where diverse traditions thrive side by side./PN
